Aberdeen 0 - 1 Hibernian

On the half hour mark O'Connor was inches from connecting with a first time cross from Riordan and a minute later Mackie had a half chance before being crowded out. Mackie really should have scored in the 31st minute when Anderson steered a header into his path but from six yards the striker could only weakly steer the ball into the keeper's hands. Hibs then went close in the 35th minute when Shiels ghosted in at the back post to head over. A minute later Foster set up Tosh but the midfielder sliced his effort well wide of the target. Good interplay between Tosh and Mackie almost found an opening but once again the Hibs defence shut up shop.

Preece caused a few flutters in the 41st minute when he came to clear and ended grounded on the edge of his box. The ball fell to Stephen Glass and he attempted to lob from distance but steered the ball wide. A minute later Hart made a good run only for a Hibs foot to once again find his cross. McGuire then headed wide as the Dons looked to find an opening before the break. In the final minute Foster made a tremendous run into the box before his final touch took the ball too far ahead of him and he was unable to find Mackie in the centre.

Mackie almost made a sensational start to the half when he charged down a Murphy clearance in the 47th minute forcing Brown into a save at his near post. Two minutes later McNaughton showed great strength to shrug off two players and surge forward releasing Foster on the left. His cross found Tosh and despite a poor first touch he tested Brown. A minute later Preece was out smartly to deny O'Connor before Fletcher fired the loose ball over the net. There were appeals for a penalty in the 54th minute when Foster was tumbled in the box, but Whittaker took the ball before tripping the striker.

Despite the Dons great start it was Hibs that almost grabbed the lead when Preece made a magnificent save from an O'Connor header then was quick to deny Riordan. Heikkinen then replaced Stewart and Preece could do nothing a minute later when Riordan latched on to a Caldwell pass and hit a brilliant effort beyond the keeper. Mackie looked to break in the 67th minute but was stopped as his marker fell over in front of him aware that he couldn't match the pace. Calderwood then made a double substitution in the 70th minute when Pasquinelli and Morrison replaced Morrison and Hart. A minute later Riordan hit another volley but this time Preece made a fine stop. Four minutes later O'Connor fired wide as Hibs broke with pace.

In the 75th minute Heikkinen drilled wide as Aberdeen forced the pace looking for an equaliser. Hibs almost added a second in the 78th minute when Preece and Anderson failed to go for the ball allowing O'Connor a free header. Fortunately the Hibs striker headed wide. At the other end a spectacular overhead kick from Pasquinelli failed to find the target. A last gasp block by Caldwell denied Pasquinelli in the 83rd minute as Aberdeen threw everything forward. A corner seconds later brought loud appeals for handball but McDonald was unmoved and play raged on.

In the final minute McNaughton fired over from 18 yards before Preece prevented a certain second from Dobbie deep into injury time. Seconds later Preece made another excellent stop from the substitute then in a grandstand finish Aberdeen were denied a deserved equaliser by Brown (saving an Adams effort) then McGuire watched in horror as his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Caldwell to ensure all three points headed back to the capital.